Moving your body vigorously is the magical cure for almost anything it seems – exercise prevents heart and lung disease, keeps bones strong and healthy, and now new research also indicates that it can help prevent death from colon cancer. Siski Green reports
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis worked together with other researchers from the American Cancer Society, using their data to see whether consistent physical activity had an effect on the risk of getting colon cancer and/or the likelihood of dying from the disease.
Colon cancer cells
Looking at data from more than 150,000 men and women, the researchers assessed exercise levels over a 15-year period and then, incidence of colon cancer in the following eight years. They found that people who exercised regularly over a period of at least ten years were in the lowest-risk group for colon cancer.
The research indicates that individuals get the most benefits from exercise if they do so consistently and over as long a period of time during adulthood as possible. But, say the researchers, it’s never too late to start.
They argue that even a 30-minute walk each day is enough to reduce your risk of a number of diseases, and that exercise, once a cancer diagnosis has been made, can decrease the risk of it recurring or of becoming worse.
- Similar posts
- Cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970's (16.4%)
- Exercise reduces bowel cancer risk (15.8%)
- Swine flu returns (15.7%)
- Parkinson's disease linked to metal pollution (12.3%)
- Exercise reduces Colon cancer risk (12.2%)
Spot the symptoms :
Change of bowel habit – a recent persistent change which lasts for a few weeks without returning to normal
Going to the loo, or trying to go, several more times than is normal for you
Looser, more diarrhoea-like motions; especially important if accompanied by bleeding from the bottom
Rectal bleeding – which persists without an obvious reason, like straining, sore bottom, lumps and itching.
Unexplained anaemia – men with iron deficient anaemia should be investigated for bowel cancer. Women after the menopause should also be investigated
Lumps in the abdomen which can be felt by the doctor
Severe colicky tummy pain which comes on suddenly and persists
Remember:
Most of us have bowel problems at some time in our lives and most symptoms do not turn out to be cancer. Conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome and piles are common. One in 20 of us have had bleeding from the bottom especially younger people but most people do not have cancer. However if you are worried and have any of these symptoms go and see your GP.